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1920s Ludwig Chinese Drum Questions Last viewed: 7 hours ago

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My 1920s Ludwig Pro Outfit #1 is missing its Chinese drum, and I'm considering finding a replacement. But I was wondering -- were the Chinese drums that came with the old Ludwigs actually made by Ludwig? Should I be looking for a "Ludwig Chinese drum"? Or would any old painted Chinese drum from the era do?

Also -- how were these mounted to the kick? OldSchool - are you out there?

Oh yeah -- on a completely different subject -- I came across LeBlanc polishing cloths. LeBlanc makes a polishing cloth made specially for nickel plating on brass (for horn players). I found a couple of new old stock cloths that were for Nickel & chrome, and it worked all right. I think I'm going to buy a few new ones made for nickel plating only.

Posted on 14 years ago
#1
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My understanding is that none of the drum companies made them, they imported them from China where they were used in the Lion Dance. So you could look for any China type tom IMO.

They made a couple of mounts (search this site), most will be against my non-vintage mount at the bottom of this page http://musicmusicmusic.cn/wfltompg2.html but it works great and the tom sounds very good. Oddly, in all kinds of weather conditions it sounds near the same. It has a very pure sound. I like the fact that in the bottom compartment of my trap case I can fit my Supra, stool top and Chinese tom, so for a small gig all I need is my trap case and a bass drum.

Posted on 14 years ago
#2
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Hi, Farnes!

It's my understanding that the vintage chinese toms were imported by most of the vintage American Drum Manufacturers. However, I have seen several chinese toms that had the Ludwig rectangular script label (or tag?) on them. I can only assume that the Ludwig Drum Company put their label on the chinese toms issued with their kits once the toms were delivered from China.

The chinese toms were mounted to the bass drum with a metal "clamp-on" assembly. It had a hook on it that attached to the metal ring on the chinese tom. The tom itself rested on the circumference of the metal "basket". I've attached a pic of one I had mounted on my J.W. York bass drum.

1 attachment
Posted on 14 years ago
#3
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this is from page#20 of the 1919 ludwig catalog. they were Imported any one will work!!

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 14 years ago
#4
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http://www.pas.org/experience/onlinecollection/chinesetomtoms.aspx

I can't find the link unfortunately, but you can still buy them new (minus the fancy artwork on the skins).

www.brushbeat.org
Posted on 14 years ago
#5
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From Gerry

http://www.pas.org/experience/onlinecollection/chinesetomtoms.aspxI can't find the link unfortunately, but you can still buy them new (minus the fancy artwork on the skins).

I've seen them new on ebay with the artwork as well.....

Posted on 14 years ago
#6
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Thank you everyone for chiming in.

Mastro - Your non-vintage mount looks rock solid --thanks for posting the link. I'm looking to restore my kit as close to its original design as I can.

OldSchool -- thanks for the pic of your Chinese drum mount. Correct me if I'm wrong here -- but are you saying that while the mounting hardware is clamped to the kick hoop, the tom is not clamped down to the mount, sitting somewhat loosely on the basket?

vintagemore - thanks for the pic of the kit. That is exactly my kit, but I'm missing the tamborine, the cymbals, & (obviously) the Chinese drum, and possibly some hardware.

The piece of hardware that I thought might be the Chinese tom mount might be for something else entirely then. I need to take a pic of the mystery hardware pieces that came with the kit and post them here. Agh! I can't do this right now.

Posted on 14 years ago
#7
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From Farnes

Thank you everyone for chiming in.Mastro - Your non-vintage mount looks rock solid --thanks for posting the link. I'm looking to restore my kit as close to its original design as I can.OldSchool -- thanks for the pic of your Chinese drum mount. Correct me if I'm wrong here -- but are you saying that while the mounting hardware is clamped to the kick hoop, the tom is not clamped down to the mount, sitting somewhat loosely on the basket?vintagemore - thanks for the pic of the kit. That is exactly my kit, but I'm missing the tamborine, the cymbals, & (obviously) the Chinese drum, and possibly some hardware.The piece of hardware that I thought might be the Chinese tom mount might be for something else entirely then. I need to take a pic of the mystery hardware pieces that came with the kit and post them here. Agh! I can't do this right now.

FARNES:

Yes, the chinese tom mount is actually a two-piece item. The bottom portion clamps onto the wooden bass drum hoop, while the upper portion actually holds the tom itself via the hook that attaches to the metal ring found on the tom. Once you attach the hook to the ring the tom itself will sit rather snugly in the circular (semi-circular actually) portion of the upper section of the mount.

I've attached some pics of the two-piece mount. The section numbered 1 is the lower portion which would clamp onto the hoop, while the section numbered 2 is where the tom itself would sit. Unfortunately you can't actually see the "hook" on the upper portion based on the angle of the pics. It would actually be located dead center on the piece on the opposite side from where the pics were taken. Hope this helps!

Posted on 14 years ago
#8
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BowingBowingBowing

OldSchool -- Awesome! Thank you!

V-More -- Thank you for the catalog page. Perfecto my friend.

Posted on 14 years ago
#9
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From Farnes

BowingBowingBowingOldSchool -- Awesome! Thank you! V-More -- Thank you for the catalog page. Perfecto my friend.

Glad to be of help!!!

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 14 years ago
#10
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